Wind farm subsidies hiking up ESB bills

A MOTION calling on the government to withdraw its subsidy through the Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy for wind energy farms was supported by councillors.

Cllr John Fleming said due to the huge amount of applications being granted for solar farms throughout the country and the probability that they will be subsidised through the the PSO levy that councillors should call on the government to withdraw the subsidy for the development of wind farms who, he said, by now should be capable of self financing and not increase the PSO levy.

Cllr Kathleen Codd Nolan said she has spoken to the owner of a wind farm who told her it takes up to a decade before the energy farms start making an income for their owners.